Lidar mirror sensor assembly

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for a LiDAR mirror assembly mounted on a vehicle, such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. For example, a LiDAR mirror assembly may include a base plate mounted on a hood of a vehicle, where the base plate is coupled to one end of a support arm. The opposite end of the support arm is attached to a housing. The housing includes a top housing enclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform, where a sensor and a mirror is coupled to the housing, and where the sensor is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top housing enclosure. The opening for the sensor is situated near an end of the housing furthest away from the base plate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to sensors for operating vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles can be autonomously controlled to navigate along a path to adestination. Such autonomous vehicles include at least one sensor thatgather information about their surrounding environment. Autonomousvehicles analyze the gathered sensor information to select trajectoriesthat avoid collisions and guide the autonomous vehicle to the desiredlocation. One of the sensors on autonomous vehicles can be a lightdetection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor that uses light pulses to measuredistances to various objects surrounding the autonomous vehicles.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for a light detection andranging (LiDAR) mirror assembly coupled to a vehicle, such as anautonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

In one example aspect, a sensor device is disclosed. The sensor deviceincludes a base plate, a housing, and a mirror pivotably coupled to thehousing. The housing comprising a top housing enclosure coupled to abottom housing platform, where the bottom housing platform is coupled tothe base plate via a support arm, where the support arm includes a firstend coupled to the bottom housing platform and a second end coupled tothe base plate, where the top housing enclosure and the bottom housingplatform having a first end proximal to the base plate and a second enddistal to the base plate, where the second end of the top housingenclosure has an opening within which a sensor is located and coupled tothe housing, and where at least some surface of the sensor is exposedthrough the opening. The sensor device also includes a mirror pivotablycoupled to the housing and located adjacent to a side surface of the tophousing enclosure and the bottom housing platform at the first end.

In some embodiments, the support arm is oriented at an oblique anglewith respect to a surface of the base plate. In some embodiments, thebase plate includes an aperture, and where the second end of the supportarm is coupled to the base plate at the aperture. In some embodiments,the support arm has a hollow cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, themirror is pivotably coupled to the housing via a bracket that extendsfrom a top surface of the bottom housing platform. In some embodiments,the second end of the top housing enclosure and the bottom housingplatform has a semi-circular shape. In some embodiments, the sensor is alight detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. In some embodiments, the tophousing enclosure includes a cutout on a second side surface opposite tothe side surface, where the cutout extends laterally along the secondside surface, and where the cutout includes a light-emitting diode(LED).

In some embodiments, the sensor device further comprises a secondsupport arm including a first end coupled to the bottom housing platformand a second end coupled to the base plate is coupled to the base platevia a support arm, where the first end of the support arm and the firstend of the second support arm are coupled to different regions of thebottom housing platform, and where the second end of the support arm andthe second end of the second support arm are coupled to differentregions of the base plate. In some embodiments, the at least somesurface of the sensor is recessed from an edge of the top housingenclosure at the second end.

In another example aspect, a method of sensor device assembly isdisclosed. The method comprises coupling a first end of one or moresupport arms to a base plate, coupling a second end of the one or moresupport arms to a bottom surface of a bottom housing platform, couplinga sensor to a top surface of the bottom housing platform, where thebottom housing platform has a first end proximal to the base plate and asecond end distal to the base plate, and where the sensor is located atthe second end of the bottom housing platform, coupling a mirror to abracket that extends from the top surface of the bottom housingplatform, inserting a light-emitting diode (LED) through a cutout on atop housing enclosure, inserting electrical wires through the one ormore support arms via one or more apertures in the base plate to connectto the sensor and the LED, and coupling the top housing enclosure to thebottom housing platform, where the top housing enclosure has a first endproximal to the base plate and a second end distal to the base plate,and where the second end of the top housing enclosure has an openingthrough which at least some surface of the sensor is exposed.

In some embodiments, the one or more support arms are oriented at anoblique angle with respect to a surface of the base plate. In someembodiments, a first shape of an exterior surface of the top housingenclosure is the same as a second shape of an exterior surface of thebottom housing platform. In some embodiments, the sensor is a lightdetection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. In some embodiments, the methodfurther comprises coupling the base plate to a hood of a vehicle. Insome embodiments, the at least some surface of the sensor is recessedfrom an edge of the top housing enclosure at the second end.

In yet another example aspect, a system is disclosed. The systemincludes a vehicle operable to drive on a road, the vehicle comprising alight detection and ranging (LiDAR) assembly mounted on a periphery of afront side of the vehicle. The LiDAR assembly comprises a base plate,where the base plate is coupled to a hood of the vehicle. a housingcomprising a top housing enclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform,where the bottom housing platform is coupled to the base plate via asupport arm, where the support arm includes a first end coupled to thebottom housing platform and a second end coupled to the base plate,where the top housing enclosure and the bottom housing platform having afirst end proximal to the base plate and a second end distal to the baseplate, where the second end of the top housing enclosure has an openingwithin which a LiDAR sensor is located and coupled to the housing, andwhere at least some surface of the LiDAR sensor is exposed through theopening, and a mirror pivotably coupled to the housing and locatedadjacent to a side surface of the top housing enclosure and the bottomhousing platform at the first end.

In some embodiments, the support arm is oriented at an oblique anglewith respect to a surface of the base plate. In some embodiments, thebase plate includes an aperture, and where the second end of the supportarm is coupled to the base plate at the aperture. In some embodiments,the at least some surface of the LiDAR sensor is recessed from an edgeof the top housing enclosure at the second end.

The above and other aspects and features of the disclosed technology aredescribed in greater detail in the drawings, the description and theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not byway of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a front side of a first exemplary LiDARmirror assembly.

FIG. 2 shows another exploded view of a back side the first exemplaryLiDAR mirror assembly.

FIG. 3 shows an assembled view of a front side of the first exemplaryLiDAR mirror assembly.

FIG. 4 shows another assembled view of a back side of the firstexemplary LiDAR mirror assembly.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded partial view of a second exemplary LiDAR mirrorwith one support arm from a back side of the exemplary LiDAR mirrorassembly.

FIG. 6 shows another exploded view of a back side of the secondexemplary LiDAR mirror assembly with one support arm.

FIG. 7 shows an assembled view of a back side of the second exemplaryLiDAR mirror assembly with one support arm.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary field of vision of an exemplary LiDAR mirrorassembly coupled to an autonomous semi-trailer truck from a top view.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary field of vision of an exemplary LiDAR mirrorassembly coupled to an autonomous semi-trailer truck from a side view.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary LiDAR housing with an LED.

FIG. 11 shows an example flowchart for assembling a sensor device.

Identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, todesignate identical elements that are common to the figures. It iscontemplated that elements disclosed in one implementation may bebeneficially utilized in other implementations without specificrecitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor measures distance byilluminating a target with a laser light. The laser light is reflectedback to the LiDAR, providing information about potential obstacles andthe surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle. The LiDAR rapidlyscans across the environment of the autonomous vehicle to providecontinuous real time information on distances. The autonomous vehicleand its software select trajectories based on the information about thesurrounding environment. The LiDAR can be positioned such that it canhave a direct line of sight to the potential obstacles. The vantagepoint of the LiDAR on the autonomous vehicle can allow the LiDAR toprovide information about the autonomous vehicle's environment. Thispatent document describes exemplary embodiments of a LiDAR mirrorassembly that can be coupled to a vehicle's provide information aboutthe vehicle's environment.

FIGS. 1 to 4 shows various exploded views of a first exemplary LiDARmirror assembly with two support arms. The exemplary embodiments for theLiDAR mirror assembly can be mounted on a vehicle as shown in FIGS. 8and 9. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the front side of the LiDAR mirror assemblyfaces toward the vehicle cabin where a driver sits, and the back side ofthe LiDAR mirror assembly faces in the opposite direction.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a front side of a first exemplary LiDARmirror assembly. The LiDAR mirror assembly 100 includes a base plate 110that is coupled to a first support arm 120 a and a second support arm120 b. One end of both the first support arm 120 a and second supportarm 120 b are coupled to a bottom housing platform 130. The bottomhousing platform 130 is coupled to a mirror bracket 132. The mirrorbracket 132 is coupled to mirror 140 via ball swivel mounting fixture142. The bottom housing platform 130 is coupled to a sensor 150. Thebottom housing platform 130 supports the mirror 140 via the mirrorbracket 132. Sensor 150 includes sensor wire 152. The bottom housingplatform 130 couples to a top housing enclosure 160. Top housingenclosure 160 includes a light-emitting diode (LED) 164. LED 164includes an LED wire. Top housing enclosure 160 include an openinglocated at a distal end of the housing away from the base plate 110 sothat a sensor 150 can be located within the opening of the housing andso that the opening exposes at least some portion of the sensor to theenvironment. Optionally, first base plate enclosure 112 a and secondbase plate enclosure 112 b cover base plate 110. Optionally, gasket 114is coupled to base plate 110. Optionally, interior plate 116 is coupledto gasket 114 or base plate 110. LiDAR mirror may be coupled to avehicle, such as a semi-trailer truck.

In FIG. 1, the base plate 110 is substantially planar. In at least oneembodiment, base plate 110 is vertically oriented so that the base plate110 can be installed to an outer vertical portion of the vehicle. Baseplate 110 may be convex or concave to match the contour of a vehicle.Base plate 110 may have a rectangular shape or any other polygon shape.Base plate 110 may have a circular or oval shape. Base plate 110 mayhave beveled edges. Base plate 110 may have square corners or roundedcorners. Base plate 110 may be configured to couple to the outer portionof the vehicle with a mounting fixture such as a screw, a bolt, avelcro, a glue, a tab and insert, a hook-and-loop device, an adhesive,or a tape.

Base plate 110 has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outersurface of base plate 110 may be substantially flat. The inner surfaceof base plate 110 may be substantially flat. The outer surface of baseplate 110 may be flat while the inner surface of the base plate 110 isconvex or concave. Alternatively, the inner surface of base plate 110may be flat while the outer surface is convex or concave.

In some embodiments, base plate 110 includes at least one aperture. Theaperture is configured to receive either the first support arm 120 a orthe second support arm 120 b. The aperture in the base plate 110 allowswires to travel from the vehicle, through the base plate 110, through atleast one support arm that may be hollow, and through the aperture inthe bottom housing platform 130 to be connected to the sensor 150 and/orthe light-emitting diode (LED) 164. In some embodiments, the base plate110 may include two apertures, where a first aperture is structured toreceive a first support arm 120 a and a second aperture is structured toreceive the second support arm 120 b.

The aperture in the base plate 110 may be circular or a polygon. In acircular configuration, the aperture may have a diameter equal to orwider than the end of the first support arm 120 a and/or the end ofsecond support arm 120 b. In a polygon configuration, the aperture mayhave a perimeter equal to or wider than the end of the first support arm120 a and/or the end of the second support arm 120 b. In at least oneembodiment, the first support arm 120 a and/or second support arm 120 bis coupled to the base plate 110 at the one or more apertures. In someembodiments, the ends of the first support arm 120 a and the secondsupport arm 120 b are narrower than the aperture.

The first end of the first support arm 120 a and the first end of thesecond support arm 120 b are coupled to different regions of the bottomsurface of the bottom housing platform 130. The second end of the firstsupport arm 120 a and the second end of the second support arm 120 b arecoupled to different regions of the base plate 110. For example, thefirst support arm 120 a is coupled to a bottom left area of the baseplate 110 and the second support arm 120 b is coupled to a top rightarea of the base station 110. The first support arm 120 a and the secondsupport arm 120 b extend along an imaginary longitudinal axis that isoriented at an oblique angle with respect to a surface of the base plate110.

Base plate 110 may include holes that pass through the entire base plate110. The holes may be used for a mounting fixture. Mounting fixtures mayinclude a screw, a bolt, a nail, an adhesive, a velcro, a glue, ahook-and-loop device, a tab and insert, a hook, or a tape. Base plate110 may include holes located in the center of the base plate 110. Theholes may be off-centered. In at least one embodiment, the holes arelocated near an outer-right section of the base plate 110. In someembodiments, the holes may be arranged around the at least one aperture.

Base plate 110 may be made from a metal, such as aluminum or an aluminumalloy. Base plate 110 may also be made from plastic or any othermaterial with qualities such as high strength, high resistance tocorrosion, and light weight.

Optionally, first base plate enclosure 112 a and second base plateenclosure 112 b cover base plate 110. First base plate enclosure 112 aand second base plate enclosure 112 b include openings to allow thefirst support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b to pass throughfirst base plate enclosure 112 a and second base plate enclosure 112 bto the base plate 110. First base plate enclosure 112 a and second baseplate enclosure 112 b are configured to couple together, covering thebase plate 110. First base plate enclosure 112 a and second base plateenclosure 112 b can couple together using a screw, a bolt, a velcro, aglue, a tab and insert, a hook-and-loop device, an adhesive, or a tape.First base plate enclosure 112 a and second base plate enclosure 112 bmay cover the side surface of base plate 110. In some embodiments, firstbase plate enclosure 112 a and second base plate enclosure 112 b aremade from a metal, such as an aluminum or an aluminum alloy. First baseplate enclosure 112 a and second base plate enclosure 112 b may also bemade from plastic or any other material with qualities such as highstrength, high resistance to corrosion, and light weight.

Optionally, gasket 114 is coupled to base plate 110. One side of gasket114 is flush with base plate 110. The opposite side of gasket 114 may beflush with the vehicle's hood (shown as 820 in FIG. 8) and/or theinterior plate 116. Gasket 114 may be made from a rubber material toprovide a seal and uniform contact with the hood of the vehicle and baseplate 110.

In some embodiments, gasket 114 has the same shape and size as baseplate 110. In other embodiments, gasket 114 is larger or smaller thanbase plate 110. In some embodiments, gasket 114 has holes and aperturesaligned with the holes and apertures of base plate 110. Gasket 114 mayinclude holes corresponding to the aperture of the base plate 110. Insome embodiments, the hole corresponding to the aperture of the baseplate 110 in gasket 114 allows wires to pass from the base plate 110 tothe interior of the vehicle. In some embodiments, holes in the gasket114 correspond to the holes that pass through the entire base plate 110.These holes in the gasket allow the mounting fixtures of base plate 110,such as a screw, bolt, or nail, to pass through gasket 114. In someembodiments, the pressure applied to the gasket 114 couples the gasket114 to the base plate 110.

Optionally, interior plate 116 is coupled to gasket 114. In someembodiments, interior plate 116 has the same shape and size as baseplate 110. In other embodiments, interior plate 116 is larger or smallerthan base plate 110. In some embodiments, interior plate 116 is made ofthe same material as base plate 110. In some embodiments, interior plate116 has holes and apertures that match base plate 110.

Interior plate 116 may be installed on the interior of the vehicle'shood. For example, the interior plate 116 may be installed underneaththe hood on the interior side of the hood. In some embodiments, theinterior plate 116 has a convex or concave shape to match the contour ofa portion of a vehicle's hood. The shape of the interior plate 116 issuch that one side of the interior plate 116 is flush with an interiorportion of the vehicle's hood. In some embodiments, interior plate 116may be installed to an exterior portion of the vehicle's hood. Interiorplate 116 may be configured to couple to a vehicle's hood with amounting fixture such as a screw, a bolt, a velcro, a glue, a tab andinsert, a hook-and-loop device, an adhesive, or a tape.

Interior plate 116 may include at least one hole corresponding to theaperture of the base plate 110. In some embodiments, the hole allowswires to pass from the base plate 110 to the vehicle's hood. In someembodiments, holes exist in the interior plate 116 that correspond tothe holes passing through the entire base plate 110. These holes in theinterior plate 116 allow the mounting fixtures, such as a screw, bolt,or nail, to pass through interior plate 116, coupling the interior plate116 to the base plate 110.

Interior plate 116 may be made from a metal, such as aluminum or analuminum alloy. Interior plate 116 may also be made from plastic or anyother material with qualities such as high strength, high resistance tocorrosion, and light weight.

Base plate 110 is coupled to the first support arm 120 a and the secondsupport arm 120 b. The first support arm 120 a and the second supportarm 120 b extend from the base plate 110 to the bottom housing platform130. First support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b extend in adirection away from base plate 110. In some embodiments, first supportarm 120 a and second support arm 120 b extend in a diagonal directionaway from base plate 110. In some embodiments, first support arm 120 aand second support arm 120 b are perpendicular to the base plate 110.

First support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b are elongated inone direction. In some embodiments, first support arm 120 a and secondsupport arm 120 b have the shape of a tube or pipe. The first supportarm 120 a and second support arm 120 b may be hollow. The first supportarm 120 a and second support arm 120 b may have a cylindrical shape or apolygonal shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the first support arm120 a and second support arm 120 b match the shape of the aperture ofbase plate 110. The first support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 bhave a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the first and/orsecond support arms is/are hollow along their longitudinal axis so thatwires can pass through the hollow first support arm 120 a and/or secondsupport arm 120 b, allowing the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 to becommunicatively coupled to and powered by the electronics of thevehicle. The first support arm 120 a and the second support arm 120 bcan have a hollow cylindrical shape. In at least one embodiment, a firstend of either the first support arm 120 a or the second support arm 120b is attached to the base plate 110. In at least one embodiment, asecond end of either the first support arm 120 a or the second supportarm 120 b is attached to the housing, such as the bottom housingplatform 130.

First support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b are attached to anouter surface of the base plate 110. Base plate 110 may include at leastone aperture. In some embodiments, first support arm 120 a and secondsupport arm 120 b are attached to an outer surface of the base plate 110at the location of the aperture on base plate 110. First support arm 120a and second support arm 120 b may connect to the outer surface of thebase plate 110 around the aperture of the base plate 110. In otherembodiments, the first support arm 120 a or the second support arm maypartially pass through the aperture of the base plate 110. In someembodiments, either the first end or the second end of the first supportarm 120 a or the second support arm 120 b is flush with the innersurface of the base plate 110. Both the first support arm 120 a and thesecond support arm 120 b may be connected to multiple apertures of baseplate 110. The end of the first support arm 120 a or the end of thesecond support arm 120 b may have a diameter equal to or narrower thanthe end of the aperture of the base plate 110. In some embodiments, theend of the first support arm 120 a or the end of the second support arm120 b may have a perimeter equal to or narrower than the aperture of thebase plate 110. In some embodiments, the ends of the first support arm120 a and the second support arm 120 b are wider than the aperture.

First support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b are coupled to thebase plate 110. In at least one embodiment, first support arm 120 a andsecond support arm 120 b are welded to the base plate 110. In otherembodiments, first support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b coupleto the base plate 110 through a mounting fixture, such as a screw, bolt,or nail.

First support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b are coupled to abottom housing platform 130. In at least one embodiment, first supportarm 120 a and second support arm 120 b are welded to bottom housingplatform 130. In at least one embodiment, first support arm 120 a andsecond support arm 120 b can be welded to bottom housing platform 130.In other embodiments, first support arm 120 a and second support arm 120b couple to the bottom housing platform 130 through a mounting fixture,such as a screw, bolt, or nail. First support arm 120 a and secondsupport arm 120 b may be attached to the center of the base plate 110.In other embodiments, first support arm 120 a and second support arm 120b are attached to the base plate 110 at a position other than thecenter. In some embodiments, first support arm 120 a and second supportarm 120 b are horizontally staggered. In some embodiments, first supportarm 120 a and second support arm 120 b are vertically staggered. Thehorizontal and vertical stagger between the first support arm 120 a andsecond support arm 120 b may provide angular support for LiDAR mirrorassembly 100.

First support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b may be made from ametal, such as an aluminum or an aluminum alloy. First support arm 120 aand second support arm 120 b may also be made from plastic or any othermaterial with qualities such as high strength, high resistance tocorrosion, and light weight.

Bottom housing platform 130 is coupled to first support arm 120 a andsecond support arm 120 b. Bottom housing platform 130 has a top surfaceand a bottom surface. Bottom housing platform 130 is coupled to thefirst support arm 120 a and the second support arm 120 b at the bottomsurface of bottom housing platform 130. In some embodiments, bottomhousing platform 130 has a housing platform aperture. The housingplatform aperture passes through the bottom surface to the top surface.The housing platform aperture is configured to receive either the firstsupport arm 120 a or the second support arm 120 b. Additional housingplatform apertures may be configured to receive both first support arm120 a or the second support arm 120 b. In some embodiments, theadditional housing platform aperture is located on the bottom surface ofbottom housing platform 130 but does not pass through to the top surfaceof bottom housing platform 130.

Bottom housing platform 130 may be substantially planar on both thebottom surface and the top surface. In some embodiments, bottom housingplatform 130 may be sloped. Bottom housing platform 130 may have arectangular shape or any other polygon shape. Bottom housing platform130 may have a shape that matches the shape of top housing enclosure160. The bottom housing platform 130 may have right angles on one end ofthe bottom housing platform 130 and has rounded semi-circular shape onthe opposite end of the bottom housing platform 130. Bottom housingplatform 130 may be solid or hollow.

The housing platform aperture may be circular or a polygon. In acircular configuration, the housing platform aperture may have adiameter equal to or wider than the end of the first support arm 120 aor the end of second support arm 120 b. In a polygon configuration, thehousing platform aperture may have a perimeter equal to or wider thanthe end of the first support arm 120 a or the end of the second supportarm 120 b. In some embodiments, the ends of the first support arm 120 aand the second support arm 120 b are wider than the housing platformaperture.

Bottom housing platform 130 is coupled to the first support arm 120 aand the second support arm 120 b at the bottom surface of bottom housingplatform 130. In some embodiments, first support arm 120 a and secondsupport arm 120 b are attached to the bottom surface of the bottomhousing platform 130 at the location of the housing platform aperture.First support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b may connect to thebottom surface of bottom housing platform 130 around the housingplatform aperture. In other embodiments, the first support arm 120 a orthe second support arm may partially pass through the housing platformaperture. In some embodiments, either the first end or the second end ofthe first support arm 120 a or the second support arm 120 b is flushwith the top surface of the bottom housing platform 130. Both the firstsupport arm 120 a and the second support arm 120 b may be connected toadditional housing platform apertures. The end of the first support arm120 a or the end of the second support arm 120 b may have a diameterequal to or narrower than the end of the housing platform aperture. Insome embodiments, the end of the first support arm 120 a or the end ofthe second support arm 120 b may have a perimeter equal to or narrowerthan the housing platform aperture. In some embodiments, the ends of thefirst support arm 120 a and the second support arm 120 b are wider thanthe housing platform aperture.

Bottom housing platform 130 may be welded to first support arm 120 a andsecond support arm 120 b. In at least one embodiment, the first supportarm 120 a or second support arm 120 b is welded to the bottom housingplatform 130 at the housing platform aperture. In other embodiments,first support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b couple to thebottom housing platform 130 through a mounting fixture, such as a screw,bolt, or nail.

Bottom housing platform 130 may be made from a metal, such as analuminum or an aluminum alloy. Bottom housing platform 130 may also bemade from a plastic or any other material with qualities such as highstrength, high resistance to corrosion, and light weight.

Wires may pass through the housing platform aperture to the open ends ofthe first support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 b, allowing theLiDAR mirror assembly 100 to be communicatively coupled and powered tothe electronics of the vehicle.

Bottom housing platform 130 is located below be coupled to the tophousing enclosure 160. For example, the bottom housing platform 130 maybe coupled to the top housing enclosure 160 via screw holes on the firstbottom housing enclosure 134 a and the second bottom housing enclosure134 b and the corresponding screw housing in the top housing enclosure160.

Optionally, first bottom housing enclosure 134 a and second bottomhousing enclosure 134 b cover the bottom surface and the side surface ofbottom housing platform 130. The bottom housing platform 130, the firstbottom housing enclosure 134 a, and second bottom housing enclosure 134b can be considered a bottom housing assembly. First bottom housingenclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure 134 b includeopenings to allow first support arm 120 a and second support arm 120 bto pass through the first bottom housing enclosure 134 a and secondbottom housing enclosure 134 b to the bottom housing platform 130. Firstbottom housing enclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure 134 bare configured to couple together, covering the bottom surface of thebottom housing platform 130. First bottom housing enclosure 134 a andsecond bottom housing enclosure 134 b can couple together using a screw,a bolt, a velcro, a glue, a tab and insert, a hook-and-loop device, or atape. First bottom housing enclosure 134 a and second bottom housingenclosure 134 b may also cover the side surface of bottom housingplatform 130. In some embodiments, first bottom housing enclosure 134 aand second bottom housing enclosure 134 b are made from a metal, such asaluminum or an aluminum alloy. First bottom housing enclosure 134 a andsecond bottom housing enclosure 134 b may also be made from plastic orany other material with qualities such as high strength, high resistanceto corrosion, and light weight.

First bottom housing enclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure134 b may be coupled to top housing enclosure 160. Thus, the top housingenclosure 160 may be coupled to the bottom housing platform 130 via thefirst bottom housing enclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure134 b. In some embodiments, the top housing enclosure 160 may be coupleddirectly to the bottom housing platform 130. The sides of the firstbottom housing enclosure 134 a and the second bottom housing enclosure134 b may be flush with the sides of top housing enclosure 160. Firstbottom housing enclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure 134 bmay have the same shape as top housing enclosure 160. First bottomhousing enclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure 134 b mayhave the same shape as bottom housing platform 130. First bottom housingenclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure 134 b may have thesame shape as bottom housing platform 130. First bottom housingenclosure 134 a and second bottom housing enclosure 134 b may form thebottom portion of top housing enclosure 160. In some embodiments, thebottom housing platform 130, the first bottom housing enclosure 134 a,and second bottom housing enclosure 134 b may be a single structure.

Mirror 140 is coupled to the bottom housing platform 130 via the mirrorbracket 132. The integration of the mirror 140 on the LiDAR mirrorassembly is an advantageous feature at least because the mirror 140 canreplace the vehicle's stock mirror with similar dimension or location onthe vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the LiDAR mirror assembly ismounted on a hood of the vehicle so that the mirror 140 is on the sidethat faces the driver or the vehicle's cab so that a driver can see animage of an area reflected by the mirror 140. In FIG. 1, the mirror 140is located on a side surface of the housing. For example, the mirror 140is located adjacent to a side surface of the top housing enclosure 160and the second bottom housing enclosure 134 b or the bottom housingplatform 130. Mirror 140 may be coupled to the bottom housing platform130 at a location distal to the base plate 110 and away from the openingin the housing that includes the sensor 150. The shape of mirror 140 maybe rectangular with rounded edges. Mirror 140 includes a reflective sideand a mounting side. In some embodiments, the reflective side is flat.In other embodiments, the reflective side is slightly convex. Themounting side includes a mounting fixture, such as a screw, a bolt, avelcro, a glue, a tab and insert, a ball and joint, a ball swivel, ahook-and-loop device, or a tape. The ball swivel mounting fixture 142allows the mirror 140 to pivot in different directions, adjusting anangle and direction of reflection so that the mirror can be adjusted toreflect images from an area desired by a driver. The pivot of ballswivel mounting fixture 142 may be adjusted by applying pressure to theedge of the mirror 140.

The mounting fixture or the ball swivel mounting fixture 142 may attachto the platform via the mirror bracket 132. Bottom housing platform 130may include a mirror bracket 132. Mirror bracket 132 extends from thetop surface of bottom housing platform 130. In some embodiments, mirrorbracket 132 extends vertically from the top surface of bottom housingplatform 130. In some embodiments, mirror bracket 132 may be verticallyaligned with an edge of bottom housing platform 130. In someembodiments, mirror bracket 132 may be perpendicular to bottom housingplatform 130.

The mirror 140 may be attached to the mirror bracket 132. Mirror bracket132 may have one side that is substantially planar. The substantiallyplanar side may face the mounting side of the mirror 140. Thesubstantially planar side may include a hole. In at least oneembodiment, ball swivel mounting fixture 142 attaches to mirror bracket132 via the hole of the substantially planar side. In other embodiments,a mounting fixture of mirror 140 attaches to mirror bracket 132 throughthe hole of the substantially planar side.

Mirror bracket 132 may be welded to bottom housing platform 130. Mirrorbracket 132 may have side supports. The side supports of mirror bracket132 may be welded to bottom housing platform 130. In other embodiments,mirror bracket 132 couples to the bottom housing platform 130 through amounting fixture, such as a screw, a bolt, a velcro, a glue, a tab andinsert, a hook-and-loop device, or a tape.

Mirror bracket 132 may be made from a metal, such as an aluminum or analuminum alloy. Mirror bracket 132 may also be made from a plastic orany other material with qualities such as high strength, high resistanceto corrosion, and light weight.

Bottom housing platform 130 supports the sensor 150. Bottom housingplatform 130 may include a hole in the top surface of bottom housingplatform 130. The sensor 150 may be coupled to the top surface of thebottom housing platform 130 using the hole in the bottom housingplatform 130 and a mounting fixture. This mounting fixture may include anail, a screw, or a bolt. Sensor 150 may also mount to bottom housingplatform 130 via another mounting fixture such as an adhesive, velcro, aglue, a tab and insert, a hook-and-loop device, or a tape.

Top housing enclosure 160 include an opening located at a distal end ofthe housing away from the base plate 110 so that a sensor 150 can belocated within the opening of the housing and so that the openingexposes at least some portion of the sensor to the environment. Theopening in the top housing enclosure 160 extends from a front side ofthe top housing enclosure 160 to the back side of the top housingenclosure 160. In some embodiments, the front side of top housingenclosure 160 faces toward the vehicle cabin and the back side of tophousing enclosure 160 faces in the opposite direction.

The sensor 150 is coupled to the bottom platform at a location where atleast some surface of the sensor 150 exposed through the opening. The atleast some surface of the sensor 150 is exposed to the environment viathe opening so that sensor can transmit light pulses and measurereflected light that bounces off of one or more objects in anenvironment where the vehicle is being driven. The at least some exposedsurface of the sensor is recessed from an edge of the top housingenclosure 160 and the bottom housing platform 130 at a distal endrelative to the base plate 110. The opening of the top housing enclosureallows the sensor to scan its environment (e.g., a terrain or road)and/or collect data from measurements obtained from the environment.

Sensor 150 may be a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. A lightdetection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor measures distance by illuminating atarget with a laser light. The laser light is reflected back to theLiDAR, providing critical information about potential obstacles and thesurrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle. The LiDAR rapidlyscans across the environment of the autonomous vehicle to providecontinuous real time information on distances.

Sensor 150 may be a mechanical LiDAR sensor. Additionally, sensor 150may be a radar unit, a camera unit, an ultrasonic sensor, acommunication unit, or another sensing unit used in autonomous vehicles.

Sensor 150 may include sensor wire 152. Sensor wire 152 maycommunicatively couple the sensor 150 to the vehicle. Sensor wire 152may power the sensor 150. Sensor wire 152 may extend from the sensor 150to the platform aperture. Sensor wire 152 may extend down the platformaperture, passing through the first support arm 120 a or the secondsupport arm 120 b and the base plate 110.

The bottom housing platform 130 may be coupled to top housing enclosure160. Top housing enclosure 160 includes a gap for mirror 140 and anopening for sensor 150. The opening for sensor 150 is situated near anend of the top housing enclosure 160 farthest away from the base plate110. The opening for sensor 150 is further away from the vehicle tomaximize the vantage point of the LiDAR mirror assembly 100. The openingmay extend from the bottom of the bottom housing platform 130 to the topof the top housing enclosure 160. In some embodiments, the openingextends from the bottom of the bottom housing platform 130 to a heightlower than the top of the top housing enclosure 160.

The mirror 140 may be situated on the front side of the top housingenclosure 160. The height of the front side of the top housing enclosure160 may be greater than the height of the mirror 140. The gap for mirror140 is situated on the front side of top housing enclosure 160. Theshape of the gap for mirror 140 may match the shape of the mirror 140.Mirror bracket 132 may be closer to the front side of the top housingenclosure 160 than the back side of the top housing enclosure 160.

The front side may cover a first portion of the opening and the backside may cover a second portion of the opening. Accordingly, the openingmay be viewed from both the front side of the top housing enclosure 160and the back side of the top housing enclosure 160. In some embodiments,the opening for sensor 150 is farther away from the base plate 110 thanthe mirror 140.

Top housing enclosure 160 may be flat at the end closest to or proximalto the base plate 110 and may have a rounded semi-circular shape at theend of the housing farthest away or distal from the base plate 110. Therounded end farthest away from the base plate 110 allows the opening tobe seen from both the front side of the top housing enclosure 160 andback side of the top housing enclosure 160. The rounded end farthestaway from the base plate 110 defines the contour of the opening.

Top housing enclosure 160 may be coupled to bottom housing platform 130.In some embodiments, top housing enclosure may be coupled to firstbottom housing enclosures 134 a or second bottom housing enclosure 134b. Top housing enclosure 160 may include holes that pass through aportion of top housing enclosure 160. The holes may be used for amounting fixture to attach to the bottom housing platform 130 or thefirst bottom housing enclosure 134 a or the second bottom housingenclosure 134 b. Mounting fixtures may include a screw, a bolt, a nail,an adhesive, a velcro, a glue, a hook-and-loop device, a tab and insert,a hook, or a tape.

Top housing enclosure 160 may be made from a metal, such as aluminum oran aluminum alloy. Top housing enclosure 160 may also be made fromplastic or any other material with qualities such as high strength, highresistance to corrosion, and light weight.

Top housing enclosure 160 includes a cutout 162 or hole on a back sideof the top housing enclosure 160, where the cutout 162 extends laterallyand at least partially includes an LED 164. Additionally, LED 164 may becoupled to the bottom housing platform 130 or first bottom housingenclosure 134 a or second bottom housing enclosure 134 b. LED 164 may bethe shape of a strip that also extends laterally and is at leastpartially located in the cutout 162 in the top housing enclosure 160.LED 164 may be placed on the back side of top housing enclosure 160 andopposite to the front side of the housing that includes the mirror 140.The LED 164 may be outside the view of the vehicle cabin. LED 164includes an LED wire 164. LED wire 164 may extend from LED to thehousing platform aperture, passing through the first support arm 150 aor the second support arm 150 b and the base plate 110.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded partial view of a second exemplary LiDAR mirrorassembly with one support arm from a back side of the exemplary LiDARmirror. The single-support LiDAR mirror 500 includes a base plate 510that is coupled to a single support arm 520. Compared to the supportarms 120 a, 120 b of the first exemplary embodiment, the support arm 520has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of each of the supportarms 120 a, 120 b so that the support arm 520 can provide a stable orrelatively stable bottom housing platform 530. Support arm 520 iscoupled to a bottom housing platform 530. The bottom housing platform530 is coupled to a mirror bracket 532. The mirror bracket 532 iscoupled to mirror 540 via ball swivel mounting fixture 542. The bottomhousing platform 530 supports a sensor 550. The bottom housing platform530 support mirror 540 via the mirror bracket 532. Sensor 550 includessensor wire 552. Optionally, gasket 514 is coupled to base plate 510.Single-support LiDAR mirror 500 may be coupled to a vehicle.

Base plate 510 is substantially planar. In at least one embodiment, baseplate 510 is vertically oriented. Base plate 510 may be installed to theouter portion of the vehicle. Base plate 510 may be convex or concave tomatch the contour of a vehicle. Base plate 510 may have a rectangularshape or any other polygon shape. Base plate 510 may have a circular oroval shape. Base plate 510 may have beveled edges. Base plate 510 mayhave square corners or rounded corners. Base plate 510 may be configuredto couple to the outer portion of the vehicle with a mounting fixturesuch as a screw, a bolt, a velcro, a glue, a tab and insert, ahook-and-loop device, an adhesive, or a tape.

Base plate 510 has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outersurface of base plate 110 may be substantially flat. The inner surfaceof base plate 510 may be substantially flat. The outer surface of baseplate 510 may be flat while the inner surface of the base plate 510 isconvex or concave. Alternatively, the inner surface of base plate 510may be flat while the outer surface is convex or concave.

In some embodiments, base plate 510 includes at least one aperture. Theaperture is configured to receive either the support arm 520. Multipleapertures may be configured to receive the support arm 520. The aperturemay be circular or a polygon. In a circular configuration, the aperturemay have a diameter equal to or wider than the end of the support arm520. In a polygon configuration, the aperture may have a perimeter equalto or wider than the end of the support arm 520. In at least oneembodiment, the support arm 520 is attached to the base plate 510 at theaperture. In some embodiments, the ends of the support arm 520 isnarrower than the aperture.

Base plate 510 may include holes that pass through the entire base plate510. The holes may be used for a mounting fixture. Mounting fixtures mayinclude a screw, a bolt, a nail, an adhesive, a velcro, a glue, ahook-and-loop device, a tab and insert, a hook, or a tape. Base plate510 may include holes located in the center of the base plate 510. Theholes may be off-centered. In at least one embodiment, the holes arelocated near an outer-right section of the base plate 510. In someembodiments, the holes may be arranged around the at least one aperture.

Base plate 510 may be made from a metal, such as aluminum or an aluminumalloy. Base plate 510 may also be made from plastic or any othermaterial with qualities such as high strength, high resistance tocorrosion, and light weight.

Optionally, gasket 514 is coupled to base plate 510. One side of gasket514 is flush with base plate 510. The opposite side of gasket 514 may beflush with the vehicle's hood or the interior plate 516. Gasket 514 maybe made from a rubber material to provide a seal and uniform contactwith the body of the vehicle and base plate 510.

In some embodiments, gasket 514 has the same shape and size as baseplate 510. In other embodiments, gasket 514 is larger or smaller thanbase plate 510. In some embodiments, gasket 514 has holes and aperturesaligned with the holes and apertures of base plate 510. Gasket 514 mayinclude holes corresponding to the aperture of the base plate 510. Insome embodiments, the hole corresponding to the aperture of the baseplate 510 in gasket 514 allows wires to pass from the base plate 510 tothe interior of the vehicle. In some embodiments, holes in the gasket514 correspond to the holes that pass through the entire base plate 510.These holes in the gasket allow the mounting fixtures of base plate 510,such as a screw, bolt, or nail, to pass through gasket 514. In someembodiments, the pressure applied to the gasket 514 couples the gasket514 to the base plate 510.

Base plate 510 is coupled to the support arm 520. The support arm 520extends from the base plate 510 to the bottom housing platform 530.Support arm 520 extends in a direction away from base plate 510. In someembodiments, support arm 520 extends in a diagonal direction away frombase plate 510. In some embodiments, support arm 520 is perpendicular tothe base plate 510.

Support arm 520 is elongated in one direction. In some embodiments,support arm 520 has the shape of a tube or pipe. The support arm 520 maybe hollow. The support arm 520 may have a cylindrical shape or apolygonal shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the support arm 520matches the shape of the aperture of base plate 510. The support arm 520has a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the first end ofthe support arm 520 is open and the second end of the support arm 520 isopen. Wires may pass through the open ends of the support arm 520,allowing the single-support LiDAR mirror 500 to be communicativelycoupled and powered to the electronics of the vehicle. In at least oneembodiment, a first end of either the support arm 520 is attached to thebase plate 510. In at least one embodiment, a second end of either thesupport arm 520 is attached to the housing, such as the bottom housingplatform 530.

Support arm 520 is attached to an outer surface of the base plate 510.Base plate 510 may include at least one aperture. In some embodiments,support arm 520 is attached to an outer surface of the base plate 510 atthe location of the aperture on base plate 510. Support arm 520 mayconnect to the outer surface of the base plate 510 around the apertureof the base plate 510. In other embodiments, the support arm 520 maypartially pass through the aperture of the base plate 510. In someembodiments, either the first end or the second end of the support arm520 is flush with the inner surface of the base plate 510. The supportarm 520 may be connected to multiple apertures of base plate 510. Theend of the support arm 520 may have a diameter equal to or narrower thanthe end of the aperture of the base plate 510. In some embodiments, theend of the support arm 520 may have a perimeter equal to or narrowerthan the aperture of the base plate 510. In some embodiments, the endsof the support arm 520 are wider than the aperture.

Support arm 520 is coupled to the base plate 510. In at least oneembodiment, support arm 520 is welded to the base plate 510. In otherembodiments, support arm 520 couples to the base plate 510 through amounting fixture, such as a screw, bolt, or nail.

Support arm 520 is coupled to a bottom housing platform 530. In at leastone embodiment, support arm 520 is welded to bottom housing platform530. In other embodiments, support arm 520 couples to the bottom housingplatform 530 through a mounting fixture, such as a screw, bolt, or nail.Support arm 520 may be attached to the center of the base plate 510. Inother embodiments, support arm 520 is attached to the base plate 510 ata position other than the center.

Support arm 520 may be made from a metal, such as an aluminum or analuminum alloy. Support arm 520 may also be made from plastic or anyother material with qualities such as high strength, high resistance tocorrosion, and light weight.

Bottom housing platform 530 is coupled to support arm 520. Bottomhousing platform 530 has a top surface and a bottom surface. Bottomhousing platform 530 is coupled to the support arm 520 at the bottomsurface of bottom housing platform 530. In some embodiments, bottomhousing platform 530 has a housing platform aperture. The housingplatform aperture passes through the bottom surface to the top surface.The housing platform aperture is configured to receive the support arm520. Additional housing platform apertures may be configured to receivethe support arm 520. In some embodiments, the additional housingplatform aperture is located on the bottom surface of bottom housingplatform 530 but does not pass through to the top surface of bottomhousing platform 530.

Bottom housing platform 530 may be substantially planar on both thebottom surface and the top surface. In some embodiments, bottom housingplatform 530 may be sloped. Bottom housing platform 530 may have arectangular shape or any other polygon shape. Bottom housing platform530 may have a shape that matches the shape of top housing enclosure560. Platform may have right angles on one end of the bottom housingplatform 530 and has rounded circles on the opposite end. Bottom housingplatform 530 may be solid or hollow. Bottom housing platform 530 mayhave square corners or rounded corners.

The housing platform aperture may be circular or a polygon. In acircular configuration, the housing platform aperture may have adiameter equal to or wider than the end of the support arm 520. In apolygon configuration, the housing platform aperture may have aperimeter equal to or wider than the end of the support arm 520. In someembodiments, the ends of the support arm 520 is wider than the housingplatform aperture.

Bottom housing platform 530 is coupled to the support arm 520 at thebottom surface of bottom housing platform 530. In some embodiments,support arm 520 is attached to the bottom surface of the bottom housingplatform 530 at the location of the housing platform aperture. Supportarm 520 may connect to the bottom surface of bottom housing platform 530around the housing platform aperture. In other embodiments, the supportarm 520 may partially pass through the housing platform aperture. Insome embodiments, either the first end or the second end of the supportarm 520 is flush with the top surface of the bottom housing platform530. The support arm 520 may be connected to additional housing platformapertures. The end of the support arm 520 may have a diameter equal toor narrower than the end of the housing platform aperture. In someembodiments, the end of the support arm 520 may have a perimeter equalto or narrower than the housing platform aperture. In some embodiments,the ends of the support arm 520 are wider than the housing platformaperture.

Bottom housing platform 530 may be welded to support arm 520. In atleast one embodiment, the support arm 520 is welded to the bottomhousing platform 530 at the housing platform aperture. In otherembodiments, support arm 520 couples to the bottom housing platform 530through a mounting fixture, such as a screw, bolt, or nail.

Bottom housing platform 530 may be made from a metal, such as analuminum or an aluminum alloy. Bottom housing platform 530 may also bemade from a plastic or any other material with qualities such as highstrength, high resistance to corrosion, and light weight.

Wires may pass through the housing platform aperture to the open ends ofthe support arm 520, allowing the LiDAR mirror 500 to be communicativelycoupled and powered to the electronics of the vehicle.

Bottom housing platform 530 may form the bottom portion of top housingenclosure 560.

Mirror 540 is mounted on to bottom housing platform 530. Bottom housingplatform 530 is configured to support mirror 540. Mirror 540 may also beattached to top housing enclosure 560. The shape of mirror 540 may berectangular with rounded edges. Mirror 540 includes a reflective sideand a mounting side. In some embodiments, the reflective side is flat.In other embodiments, the reflective side is slightly convex. Themounting side includes a mounting fixture, such as a screw, a bolt, avelcro, a glue, a tab and insert, a ball and joint, a ball swivel, ahook-and-loop device, or a tape. The ball swivel mounting fixture 542allows the mirror 540 to pivot in different directions, adjusting anangle and direction of reflection. The pivot of ball swivel mountingfixture 542 may be adjusted by applying pressure to the edge of themirror 540.

The mounting fixture or the ball swivel mounting fixture 542 may attachto the platform via the mirror bracket 532. Bottom housing platform 530may include a mirror bracket 532. Mirror bracket 532 extends from thetop surface of bottom housing platform 530. In some embodiments, mirrorbracket 532 extends vertically from the top surface of bottom housingplatform 530. In some embodiments, mirror bracket 532 may be verticallyaligned with an edge of bottom housing platform 530. In someembodiments, mirror bracket 532 may be perpendicular to bottom housingplatform 530.

The mirror 540 may be attached to the mirror bracket 532. Mirror bracket532 may have one side that is substantially planar. The substantiallyplanar side may face the mounting side of the mirror 540. Thesubstantially planar side may include a hole. In at least oneembodiment, ball swivel mounting fixture 542 attaches to mirror bracket532 via the hole of the substantially planar side. In other embodiments,a mounting fixture of mirror 540 attaches to mirror bracket 532 throughthe hole of the substantially planar side.

Mirror bracket 532 may be welded to bottom housing platform 530. Mirrorbracket 532 may have side supports. The side supports of mirror bracket532 may be welded to bottom housing platform 530. In other embodiments,mirror bracket 532 couples to the bottom housing platform 530 through amounting fixture, such as a screw, a bolt, a velcro, a glue, a tab andinsert, a hook-and-loop device, or a tape.

Mirror bracket 532 may be made from a metal, such as an aluminum or analuminum alloy. Mirror bracket 532 may also be made from a plastic orany other material with qualities such as high strength, high resistanceto corrosion, and light weight.

Bottom housing platform 530 supports the sensor 550. Bottom housingplatform 530 may include a hole in the top surface of bottom housingplatform 530. The sensor 550 may be coupled to the top of the bottomhousing platform 530 using the hole and a mounting fixture. Thismounting fixture may include a nail, a screw, or a bolt. Sensor 550 mayalso mount to bottom housing platform 530 via another mounting fixturesuch as an adhesive, velcro, a glue, a tab and insert, a hook-and-loopdevice, or a tape.

Sensor 550 may be a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. A lightdetection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor measures distance by illuminating atarget with a laser light. The laser light is reflected back to theLiDAR, providing critical information about potential obstacles and thesurrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle. The LiDAR rapidlyscans across the environment of the autonomous vehicle to providecontinuous real time information on distances.

Sensor 550 may be a mechanical LiDAR sensor. Additionally, sensor 550may be a radar unit, a camera unit, an ultrasonic sensor, acommunication unit, or another sensing unit used in autonomous vehicles.

Sensor 550 may include sensor wire 552. Sensor wire 552 maycommunicatively couple the sensor 550 to the vehicle. Sensor wire 552may power the sensor 550. Sensor wire 552 may extend from the sensor 550to the platform aperture. Sensor wire 552 may extend down the platformaperture, passing through the hollow support arm and the aperture in thebase plate 510.

FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show another exploded view and assembled viewof a back side of an exemplary LiDAR mirror with one support arm. Thetop housing enclosure 560 may be coupled to the bottom housing platform530 via the first bottom housing enclosure 534 a and second bottomhousing enclosure 534 b. The top housing enclosure 560, first bottomhousing enclosure 534 a, and second bottom housing enclosure 534 binclude an opening 554 in which a sensor is located. The top housingenclosure 560 includes a cutout through which an LED 562 is inserted.LED 562 may include an LED wire 564. The opening 554 is located at adistal end of the top housing enclosure 560 and the bottom housingplatform 530 or farthest away from the base plate 510. Optionally, firstbase plate enclosure 512 a and second base plate enclosure 512 b coverbase plate 510.

Optionally, first base plate enclosure 512 a and second base plateenclosure 512 b cover base plate 510. First base plate enclosure 512 aand second base plate enclosure 512 b include openings to allow thesupport arm 520 to pass through first base plate enclosure 512 a andsecond base plate enclosure 512 b to the base plate 510. First baseplate enclosure 512 a and second base plate enclosure 512 b areconfigured to couple together, covering the base plate 510. First baseplate enclosure 512 a and second base plate enclosure 512 b can coupletogether using a screw, a bolt, a velcro, a glue, a tab and insert, ahook-and-loop device, an adhesive, or a tape. First base plate enclosure512 a and second base plate enclosure 512 b may cover the side surfaceof base plate 510. In some embodiments, first base plate enclosure 512 aand second base plate enclosure 512 b are made from a metal, such as analuminum or an aluminum alloy. First base plate enclosure 512 a andsecond base plate enclosure 512 b may also be made from plastic or anyother material with qualities such as high strength, high resistance tocorrosion, and light weight.

Optionally, first bottom housing enclosure 534 a and second bottomhousing enclosure 534 b cover the bottom surface and the side surface ofbottom housing platform 530. First bottom housing enclosure 534 a andsecond bottom housing enclosure 534 b include openings to allow supportarm 520 to pass through the first bottom housing enclosure 534 a andsecond bottom housing enclosure 534 b to the bottom housing platform530. First bottom housing enclosure 534 a and second bottom housingenclosure 534 b are configured to couple together, covering the bottomsurface of the bottom housing platform 530. First bottom housingenclosure 534 a and second bottom housing enclosure 534 b can coupletogether using a screw, a bolt, a velcro, a glue, a tab and insert, ahook-and-loop device, or a tape. First bottom housing enclosure 534 aand second bottom housing enclosure 534 b may also cover the sidesurface of bottom housing platform 530. In some embodiments, firstbottom housing enclosure 534 a and second bottom housing enclosure 534 bare made from a metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Firstbottom housing enclosure 534 a and second bottom housing enclosure 534 bmay also be made from plastic or any other material with qualities suchas high strength, high resistance to corrosion, and light weight. Firstbottom housing enclosure 534 a and second bottom housing enclosure 534 bmay be coupled to the top housing enclosure 560. The sides of the firstbottom housing enclosure 534 a and the second bottom housing enclosure534 b may be flush with the sides of top housing enclosure 560. Firstbottom housing enclosure 534 a and second bottom housing enclosure 534 bmay have the same shape as top housing enclosure 560. First bottomhousing enclosure 534 a and second bottom housing enclosure 534 b mayform the bottom portion to which the top housing enclosure 560 can becoupled.

The bottom housing platform 530 may be coupled to top housing enclosure560. Top housing enclosure 560 includes a gap for mirror 140 and anopening for sensor 550. The opening for sensor 550 is situated near anend of the top housing enclosure 560 farthest away from the base plate510. The opening for sensor 550 is further away from the vehicle tomaximize the vantage point of the single-support LiDAR mirror 500. Theopening may extend from the bottom of the bottom housing platform 530 tothe top of the top housing enclosure 560. In some embodiments, theopening extends from the bottom of the bottom housing platform 530 to aheight lower than the top of the top housing enclosure 560.

Top housing enclosure 560 includes a front side and a back side.Generally, the front side of top housing enclosure 560 faces toward thevehicle cabin and the back side of top housing enclosure 560 faces inthe opposite direction. The mirror 540 may be situated on the front sideof the top housing enclosure 560. The height of the front side of thetop housing enclosure 560 may be greater than the height of the mirror540. The gap for mirror 540 is situated on the front side of top housingenclosure 560. The shape of the gap for mirror 540 matches the shape ofthe mirror 540. Mirror bracket 532 may be closer to the front side ofthe top housing enclosure 560 than the back side of the top housingenclosure 560. In some embodiments, the height of the front side of thehousing is greater than the height of the back side of the housing.

The front side may cover a first portion of the opening and the backside may cover a second portion of the opening. Accordingly, the openingmay be viewed from both the front side of the top housing enclosure 560and the back side of the top housing enclosure 560. In some embodiments,the opening for sensor 550 is farther away from the base plate 510 thanthe mirror 540.

Top housing enclosure 560 may be flat at the end closest to or proximalto the base plate 510 and rounded at the end of the housing farthestaway from the base plate 510. The distal end of the top housingenclosure 560 relative to the base plate can have a semi-circular shape.The rounded end farthest away from the base plate 510 allows the openingto be seen from both the front side of the top housing enclosure 560 andback side of the top housing enclosure 560. The rounded end farthestaway from the base plate 510 defines the contour of the opening.

Top housing enclosure 560 may be coupled to bottom housing platform 530.In some embodiments, top housing enclosure 560 may be coupled to firstbottom housing enclosures 534 a or second bottom housing enclosure 534b. Top housing enclosure 560 may include holes that pass through aportion of top housing enclosure 560. The holes may be used for amounting fixture to attach to the bottom housing platform 530 or thefirst bottom housing enclosure 534 a or the second bottom housingenclosure 534 b. Mounting fixtures may include a screw, a bolt, a nail,an adhesive, a velcro, a glue, a hook-and-loop device, a tab and insert,a hook, or a tape.

Top housing enclosure 560 may be made from a metal, such as aluminum oran aluminum alloy. Top housing enclosure 560 may also be made fromplastic or any other material with qualities such as high strength, highresistance to corrosion, and light weight.

Top housing enclosure 560 includes LED 562. Additionally, LED 562 may becoupled to the bottom housing platform 530 or first bottom housingenclosure 534 a or second bottom housing enclosure 534 b. LED 562 may bethe shape of a strip. LED 562 may be placed on the back side of tophousing enclosure 560. The LED 562 may be outside the view of thevehicle cabin. LED 562 includes an LED wire 564. LED wire 564 may extendfrom LED to the housing platform aperture, passing through the supportarm 520 and the base plate 510.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary field of vision of an exemplary LiDAR mirrorcoupled to a semi-trailer truck. The semi-trailer truck is partiallyshown from a top view to facilitate better understanding the of theLiDAR mirror assembly's features. The semi-trailer truck includes a hood820 that includes left side panel 805 a and a right side panel 805 b.Semi-trailer truck includes left headlight 810 a and right headlight 810b located on the left side panel 805 a and right side panel 805 b,respectively. Semi-trailer truck includes a LiDAR mirror assembly 100.The semi-trailer truck may operate in an autonomous mode or asemi-autonomous mode when the semi-trailer truck is driven on a road toits destination. In the autonomous mode, a computer in the semi-trailertruck operates the various components (e.g., steering angle, LiDARsensor, cameras, accelerator and/or brakes) to drive the semi-trailertruck on a road. In the semi-autonomous mode, a human driver drives thesemi-trailer truck on the road and the vehicle's computer can overridehuman operation in certain cases (e.g., the computer sends commands toengage brakes when the computer determines from a LiDAR sensor data thatthe semi-trailer truck will hit an object if brakes are not engaged).The left side panel 805 a of the hood 820 is situated to the left of thetrailer hood. The right side panel 805 b of the hood 820 is situated tothe right of the trailer hood. Left side panel 805 a of the hood 820includes left headlight 810 a. Right side panel 805 b of the hood 820includes right headlight 810 b. The left side panel 805 a and the rightside panel 805 b of the hood 820 have a fender. The fender leaves anopening for wheels of the semi-trailer truck 805. In some embodiments,left side panel 805 a and right side panel 805 b of the hood 820 extendsto the left headlight 810 a and the right headlight 810 b, respectively.The LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is structured to mount to or coupled tothe left side panel 805 a or right side panel 805 b of the hood 820above a fender. Thus, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is mounted on aperiphery of a front side of a vehicle.

LiDAR mirror assembly 100 may be coupled to right side panel 805 b ofthe hood 820. In some embodiments, LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has ahorizontal view from the furthest right back corner of the semi-trailertruck to a point beyond the front right corner of the semi-trailer truck805. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has a horizontalfield of view that is unobstructed by the front of the semi-trailertruck 805. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has a 235°horizontal field of view. Placing LiDAR mirror assembly 100 near thefront of the right side panel 805 b of the hood 820 provides the LiDARmirror assembly 100 with a field of view extending at least 55° to theleft of the front right corner of the right side panel 805 b of the hood820. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is situatedabove the front set of fenders of the autonomous semi-trailer truck,providing a greater vantage point and increasing the field of view ofthe LiDAR mirror assembly 100. The front set of fenders may be locatedbelow the headlights 810 a, 810 b. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirrorassembly 100 is mounted below the hood such that the housing of theLiDAR mirror assembly 100 extends above the hood. In some embodiments,the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is mounted closer to the front of thesemi-trailer truck than the opening for front wheels. In someembodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is mounted closer to thefront of the semi-trailer truck than the hubs of the front wheels. Insome embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is structured to mountto the right side panel 805 b above the fender and below the hood tomaximize the field of view of the LiDAR mirror assembly 100.

LiDAR mirror assembly 100 may be coupled to left side panel 805 a of thehood 820. In some embodiments, LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has ahorizontal view from the furthest left back corner of the semi-trailertruck to a point beyond the front left corner of the semi-trailer truck805. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has a horizontalfield of view that is unobstructed by the front of the semi-trailertruck 805. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has a 235°horizontal field of view. Placing LiDAR mirror assembly 100 near thefront of the left side panel 805 a of the hood 820 provides the LiDARmirror assembly 100 with a field of view extending at least 55° to theright of the front left corner of the left side panel 805 a of the hood820. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is situatedabove the front set of fenders of the autonomous semi-trailer truck,providing a greater vantage point and increasing the field of view ofthe LiDAR mirror assembly 100. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirrorassembly 100 is mounted below the hood such that the housing of theLiDAR mirror assembly 100 extends above the hood. In some embodiments,the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is mounted closer to the front of thesemi-trailer truck than the opening for front wheels. In someembodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is mounted closer to thefront of the semi-trailer truck than the hubs of the front wheels. Insome embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is structured to mountto the left side panel 805 a above the fender and below the hood tomaximize the field of view of the LiDAR mirror assembly 100.

Two LiDAR mirrors 100 may be coupled to both the left side panel 805 aand the right side panel 805 b simultaneously. In this configuration,the two LiDAR mirrors 100 has a horizontal view from the furthest leftback corner of the semi-trailer truck to the front of the truck,extending to the furthest back right corner of the semi-trailer truck805. In some embodiments, the two LiDAR mirrors 100 have a horizontalfield of view that is unobstructed by the front of the semi-trailertruck 805. In some embodiments, the two LiDAR mirrors 100 have ahorizontal field of view only obstructed by the back side of thesemi-trailer truck 805. In some embodiments, each of the two LiDARmirrors 100 can have a 235° horizontal field of view. Placing LiDARmirror assembly 100 near the front of the left side panel 805 a of thehood 820 and the right side panel 805 b of the hood 820 provides bothLiDAR mirrors 100 with a field of view covering the entire front side ofthe autonomous vehicle. In some embodiments, the field of view of bothLiDAR mirrors overlap in front of the semi-trailer truck 805. In someembodiments, both LiDAR mirrors 100 are situated above the front set ofwheels of the autonomous semi-trailer truck, providing a greater vantagepoint and increasing the field of view of both LiDAR mirrors 100. Insome embodiments, both LiDAR mirrors 100 is mounted closer to the frontof the semi-trailer truck than the fenders. In some embodiments, bothLiDAR mirrors 100 are mounted below the hood such that the housing ofthe LiDAR mirrors 100 extends above the hood. In some embodiments, theLiDAR mirrors 100 are mounted closer to the front of the semi-trailertruck than the hubs of the front wheels. In some embodiments, the LiDARmirror assembly 100 is structured to mount to the left side panel 805 aabove the fender and below the hood to maximize the field of view of theLiDAR mirror assembly 100.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary field of vision of an exemplary LiDAR mirrorcoupled to a semi-trailer truck. The semi-trailer truck is partiallyshown from a side view to facilitate better understanding the of theLiDAR mirror assembly's features. The semi-trailer truck includes a hood820 with left side panel 805 a and a right side panel 805 b.Semi-trailer truck includes left headlight 810 a and right headlight 810b. Semi-trailer truck includes a hood situated above hood 820.Semi-trailer truck includes a LiDAR mirror assembly 100. Thesemi-trailer truck may operate autonomously or semi-autonomously, asexplained above. The left side panel 805 a of the hood 820 is situatedto the left of the trailer hood. The right side panel 805 b of the hood820 is situated to the right of the trailer hood. Left side panel 805 aof the hood 820 includes left headlight 810 a. Right side panel 805 b ofthe hood 820 includes right headlight 810 b. The left side panel 805 aand the right side panel 805 b of the hood 820 have a fender. The fenderleaves an opening for wheels of the semi-trailer truck 805. In someembodiments, left side panel 805 a and right side panel 805 b of thehood 820 extends to the left headlight 810 a and the right headlight 810b, respectively. The LiDAR mirror assembly 100 is structured to mount tothe left side panel 805 a or right side panel 805 b of the hood 820.

LiDAR mirror assembly 100 may be coupled to right side panel 805 b ofthe hood 820. In some embodiments, LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has avertical view extending from the ground to a point above the LiDARmirror assembly 100. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100has a vertical field of view that is unobstructed by the front of thesemi-trailer truck. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100has a 360° vertical field of view. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirroris situated above the front set of wheels of the autonomous semi-trailertruck, providing a greater vantage point and increasing the verticalfield of view of the LiDAR mirror. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirrorassembly 100 is mounted closer to the front of the semi-trailer truck805 than the hub of the front wheels.

LiDAR mirror assembly 100 may be coupled to left side panel 805 a of thehood 820. In some embodiments, LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has a verticalview extending from the ground to a point above the LiDAR mirrorassembly 100. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100 has avertical field of view that is unobstructed by the front of thesemi-trailer truck. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirror assembly 100has a 360° vertical field of view. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirroris situated above the front set of wheels of the autonomous semi-trailertruck, providing a greater vantage point and increasing the verticalfield of view of the LiDAR mirror. In some embodiments, the LiDAR mirrorassembly 100 is mounted closer to the front of the semi-trailer truckthan the hub of the front wheels.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary LiDAR housing with an LED.

LED 164 is coupled to top housing enclosure 160. LED 164 may be an arrayof LEDs. LED 164 may be a solid-state semiconductor device that emitslight. In some embodiments, the LED may be replaced with a moreconventional light source such as incandescent bulbs or fluorescentlamps. Many of the embodiments described include the LED 164 attached tothe LiDAR mirror assembly 100. But LED 164 may be attached to any otherportion of semi-trailer truck 805.

LED 164 is representative of an autonomous mode of semi-trailer truck805. LED 164 may present a status indicator that represents the mode ofoperation of semi-trailer truck 805. Modes of operation includeautonomous, semi-autonomous, or human-controlled. Other modes ofoperation may be representative of the level of autonomy of the vehicle.Other modes of operation may correspond to the five levels of autonomousdriving L0-L5: Level 0 (L0) corresponds to no automation; Level 1 (L1)corresponds to driver assistance systems; Level 2 (L2) corresponds topartial automation driving where systems can take control; Level 3 (L3)corresponds to high autonomous driving in which the driver may disengagefrom driving for extended periods of time; Level 4 (L4) corresponds tofully automated driving where the vehicle drives independently most ofthe time; and Level 5 (L5) corresponds to a fully autonomous vehicle.

LED 164 may represent an autonomous mode of semi-trailer truck 805 bypresenting a status indicator. A status indicator may be a color whereeach color corresponds to a mode of operation. A status indicator may bea sound where each sound corresponds to a mode of operation. A statusindicator may be a pattern of light corresponding to a mode ofoperation. The pattern of light may power LED 164 on and off at aparticular rhythm. In a plurality of LEDs, the pattern of light may bedisplayed by turning on or off multiple LEDs either simultaneously orsequentially. A status indicator may be an intensity of light where eachintensity corresponds to a mode of operation. Where LED 165 is an arrayof LEDs, the position of the powered LED corresponds to a mode ofoperation.

LED 164 may emit a light in the visible spectrum. Alternatively, LED 164may emit an infrared light or ultraviolet light. Light emitted from LED164 that falls outside the range of wavelengths visible to the human eyemay communicate the status of the autonomous vehicle. In someembodiments, the light emitted from LED 164 may be modulated tocommunicate a status of the autonomous vehicle.

LED 164 may be placed outside the field of view of the cabin of thevehicle. LED 164 may be placed on the back side of the LiDAR mirrorassembly 100. A driver inside the cabin of the vehicle will not bedistracted by LED 164 by having the LED emit light away from the driver.

FIG. 11 shows an example flowchart for assembling a sensor device. Atthe coupling operation 1102, a first end of one or more support arms iscoupled to a base plate. At the coupling operation 1104, a second end ofthe one or more support arms is coupled to a bottom surface of a bottomhousing platform. At the coupling operation 1106, a sensor is coupled toa top surface of the bottom housing platform. The bottom housingplatform has a first end proximal to the base plate and a second enddistal to the base plate, and the sensor is located at the second end ofthe bottom housing platform. At the coupling operation 1108, a mirror iscoupled to a bracket that extends from the top surface of the bottomhousing platform. At the inserting operation 1110, a light-emittingdiode (LED) is inserted through a cutout on a top housing enclosure. Atthe inserting operation 1112, electrical wires from the vehicle areinserted through the one or more support arms via one or more aperturesin the base plate to connect to the sensor and the LED. At the couplingoperation 1114, the top housing enclosure is coupled to the bottomhousing platform. The top housing enclosure has a first end proximal tothe base plate and a second end distal to the base plate, and the secondend of the top housing enclosure has an opening through which at leastsome surface of the sensor is exposed.

In some embodiments, the one or more support arms are oriented at anoblique angle with respect to a surface of the base plate. In someembodiments, a first shape of an exterior surface of the top housingenclosure is the same as a second shape of an exterior surface of thebottom housing platform. In some embodiments, the sensor is a lightdetection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. In some embodiments, the method ofFIG. 11 further comprises coupling the base plate to a hood of avehicle. In some embodiments, the at least some surface of the sensor isrecessed from an edge of the top housing enclosure at the second end.

A vehicle described in this patent document may take the form of a car,truck, motorcycle, bus, for example. The vehicle may be configured tooperate fully or partially in an autonomous mode. For example, thevehicle may control itself while in the autonomous mode, and may beoperable to determine a current state of the vehicle and itsenvironment, determine a predicted behavior of at least one othervehicle in the environment, determine a confidence level that maycorrespond to a likelihood of the at least one other vehicle to performthe predicted behavior, and control the vehicle based on the determinedinformation. While in autonomous mode, the vehicle may be configured tooperate without human interaction.

The vehicle may include an electrical system that may transfer andcontrol electrical signals in the vehicle. These electrical signals canbe used to activate lights, servos, electrical motors, and otherelectrically driven or controlled devices of the vehicle. The powersource may represent a source of energy that may, in full or in part,power the engine or motor. That is, the engine or motor could beconfigured to convert the power source into mechanical energy. Examplesof power sources include gasoline, diesel, other petroleum-based fuels,propane, other compressed gas-based fuels, ethanol, fuel cell, solarpanels, batteries, and other sources of electrical power. The powersource could additionally or alternatively include any combination offuel tanks, batteries, capacitors, or flywheels. The power source mayalso provide energy for other subsystems of the vehicle.

In this patent document, common or similar features may be designated bycommon reference numbers. As used herein, “exemplary” may indicate anexample, an implementation, or an aspect, and should not be construed aslimiting or as indicating a preference or a preferred implementation.This patent documents describes features of the LiDAR mirror assembly100 separately from the features of the LiDAR mirror assembly 500 forease of description. The features of first exemplary embodiment of theLiDAR mirror assembly 100 can be implemented in the features of thesecond exemplary embodiment of the LiDAR mirror assembly 500, and viceversa.

While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features thatare described in this patent document in the context of separateembodiments can also be implemented in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a sub combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Moreover, the separation of various system components in theembodiments described in this patent document should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Only a few implementations and examples are described, and otherimplementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on whatis described and illustrated in this patent document.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a base plate; a housingcomprising a top housing enclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform,wherein the bottom housing platform is coupled to the base plate via asupport arm, wherein the support arm includes a first end coupled to thebottom housing platform and a second end coupled to the base plate,wherein the top housing enclosure and the bottom housing platform havinga first end proximal to the base plate and a second end distal to thebase plate, wherein the second end of the top housing enclosure has anopening within which a sensor is located and coupled to the housing, andwherein at least some surface of the sensor is exposed through theopening; and a mirror pivotably coupled to the housing and locatedadjacent to a side surface of the top housing enclosure and the bottomhousing platform at the first end.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thesupport arm is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a surface ofthe base plate.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the base plateincludes an aperture, and wherein the second end of the support arm iscoupled to the base plate at the aperture.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the support arm has a hollow cylindrical shape.
 5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the mirror is pivotably coupled to the housing via abracket that extends from a top surface of the bottom housing platform.6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the top housingenclosure and the bottom housing platform has a semi-circular shape. 7.The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a light detection andranging (LiDAR) sensor.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the tophousing enclosure includes a cutout on a second side surface opposite tothe side surface, wherein the cutout extends laterally along the secondside surface, and wherein the cutout includes a light-emitting diode(LED).
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a second supportarm including a first end coupled to the bottom housing platform and asecond end coupled to the base plate is coupled to the base plate via asupport arm, wherein the first end of the support arm and the first endof the second support arm are coupled to different regions of the bottomhousing platform, and wherein the second end of the support arm and thesecond end of the second support arm are coupled to different regions ofthe base plate.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least somesurface of the sensor is recessed from an edge of the top housingenclosure at the second end.
 11. A method of sensor device assembly,comprising: coupling a first end of one or more support arms to a baseplate; coupling a second end of the one or more support arms to a bottomsurface of a bottom housing platform; coupling a sensor to a top surfaceof the bottom housing platform, wherein the bottom housing platform hasa first end proximal to the base plate and a second end distal to thebase plate, and wherein the sensor is located at the second end of thebottom housing platform; coupling a mirror to a bracket that extendsfrom the top surface of the bottom housing platform; inserting alight-emitting diode (LED) through a cutout on a top housing enclosure;inserting electrical wires through the one or more support arms via oneor more apertures in the base plate to connect to the sensor and theLED; and coupling the top housing enclosure to the bottom housingplatform, wherein the top housing enclosure has a first end proximal tothe base plate and a second end distal to the base plate, and whereinthe second end of the top housing enclosure has an opening through whichat least some surface of the sensor is exposed.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the one or more support arms are oriented at an obliqueangle with respect to a surface of the base plate.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein a first shape of an exterior surface of the tophousing enclosure is the same as a second shape of an exterior surfaceof the bottom housing platform.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein thesensor is a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor.
 15. The methodof claim 11, further comprising: coupling the base plate to a hood of avehicle.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least some surfaceof the sensor is recessed from an edge of the top housing enclosure atthe second end.
 17. A system, comprising: a vehicle operable to drive ona road, the vehicle comprising a light detection and ranging (LiDAR)assembly mounted on a periphery of a front side of the vehicle, whereinthe LiDAR assembly comprises: a base plate, wherein the base plate iscoupled to a hood of the vehicle; a housing comprising a top housingenclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform, wherein the bottomhousing platform is coupled to the base plate via a support arm, whereinthe support arm includes a first end coupled to the bottom housingplatform and a second end coupled to the base plate, wherein the tophousing enclosure and the bottom housing platform having a first endproximal to the base plate and a second end distal to the base plate,wherein the second end of the top housing enclosure has an openingwithin which a LiDAR sensor is located and coupled to the housing, andwherein at least some surface of the LiDAR sensor is exposed through theopening; and a mirror pivotably coupled to the housing and locatedadjacent to a side surface of the top housing enclosure and the bottomhousing platform at the first end.
 18. The system of claim 17, whereinthe support arm is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to asurface of the base plate.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the baseplate includes an aperture, and wherein the second end of the supportarm is coupled to the base plate at the aperture.
 20. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the at least some surface of the LiDAR sensor isrecessed from an edge of the top housing enclosure at the second end.